ExpertLaw.com Forums

Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned

Printable View

  • 05-18-2020, 05:24 PM
    Justwondering1234
    Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Pennslyvania

    It was a huge misunderstanding but was never charged due to taking a class. It was in Giant Eagle which is a retailer in PA. I had food and soda under my cart and I thought she had rung these items. She didn't so cops were called. I paid the fines and took the class but said I was banned. it's been a few years I know have a family and our local store is Giant Eagle. I do shop there occasionally but only remembered when found paperwork I was banned (this incident happened at another location then one I shop in). I don't know how could have forgot. My wife made me write a letter asking for permission to be let back in. I haven't heard anything and it's been two weeks. Has anyone had success with this in generalor success with this at Giant Eagle? They are the largest retail grocery shop. I apologized for my mistake and explained I was in the wrong and sorry.
  • 05-18-2020, 05:51 PM
    flyingron
    Re: Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    Responding to thieves is probably not on their priority list, especially with ll the COVID issues. Two weeks is nothing with regard to response time in situations like this. Do you think operators are standing buy to research convicted criminal's who suddenly say their sorry and want trespass bans released? I'd give it a little more time and then try again, perhaps thinking about whether the place you sent the first letter was the most appropriate.
  • 05-19-2020, 05:34 AM
    Justwondering1234
    Re: Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    First, as I explained the reason everything was dropped was because it was a mistake the cashier admitted never rang it up. Secondly, I did send it to the right area. I was seeking advice.
  • 05-19-2020, 06:28 AM
    cbg
    Re: Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    My advice is to wait longer for a response, understanding that your situation is not a high priority for them.
  • 05-19-2020, 07:10 AM
    free9man
    Re: Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    Legally, you should probably wait for a response and it may take a while given the current situation.

    As someone who used to work in Loss Prevention, you are probably safe to continue shopping there if the store is a good ways away from the store where the incident occurred and if it has been more than 3-5 years. Hopefully you didn't tell corporate the store you are shopping in now. It is unlikely under those conditions that anyone is going to recognize you as having been banned. They aren't going to be going through receipts looking for names of people who have been banned.
  • 05-19-2020, 07:28 AM
    Justwondering1234
    Re: Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    Thank you so much. Yes, this time has been crazy and I understand that. Yes, this location is about 1/2 hour drive away. I didn't say I was shopping there but have been using my perks card. Like I said I totally forgot and its been about 2 1/2 3 years since this happened. Thank you for the advice using your loss prevention experience.
  • 05-19-2020, 07:45 AM
    free9man
    Re: Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    Quote:

    Quoting Justwondering1234
    View Post
    I didn't say I was shopping there but have been using my perks card. L

    We can only respond based on the information provided. From your OP:

    Quote:

    Quoting Justwondering1234
    View Post
    I do shop there occasionally

  • 05-19-2020, 07:53 AM
    Harold99
    Re: Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    Quote:

    Quoting Justwondering1234
    View Post
    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Pennslyvania

    It was a huge misunderstanding but was never charged due to taking a class. It was in Giant Eagle which is a retailer in PA. I had food and soda under my cart and I thought she had rung these items. She didn't so cops were called. I paid the fines and took the class but said I was banned. it's been a few years I know have a family and our local store is Giant Eagle. I do shop there occasionally but only remembered when found paperwork I was banned (this incident happened at another location then one I shop in). I don't know how could have forgot. My wife made me write a letter asking for permission to be let back in. I haven't heard anything and it's been two weeks. Has anyone had success with this in generalor success with this at Giant Eagle? They are the largest retail grocery shop. I apologized for my mistake and explained I was in the wrong and sorry.

    I do not agree that you made a mistake. Since when is it the customer's duty to observe what the checker scans and does not scan? How would it be shoplifting if the checker forgot to look under the basket? Where is the intent to steal when you walked through the check out process the same as anyone else?

    Is it theft upon the customer when the checker double scans items or when items ring up for the wrong price? NO!

    IMO, the store would be hard pressed to obtain a conviction for theft under those conditions, which is why they did not pursue it and opted to threaten you for their mistake instead.

    Also, a ban letter, depending how it was served, signed and agreed to, is not a legal action and most likely can be just thrown away and disregarded.

    You are not a shoplifter or a thief, and anyone who calls you that should apologize.
  • 05-19-2020, 11:20 AM
    Justwondering1234
    Re: Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    I agree but when I left the store they stated I should have told them there were items under there. The cops were called and tried to explain. However, the area I was in for my job is high crime rate. They dropped charges after I took a 5 hour class on why stealing is wrong. My lawyer told me it would be easier to do this, pay the fine have it expunged which this all happened. Basically my fine was paying the price of the groceries (which I initially did state when all this happened) I walked out and security sensors beeped, I walked in and was like excuse me I think you forgot to ring this up and how much was it. That is when they said had intent to steal. The cops had no choice. So that is the story the short version. It's been 2 1/2 years I was cleaning out our spare bedroom as we have twins on the way and found the paper work and saw I had signed something that day saying can't come back. I didn't remember signing it honestly and put whole incident behind us. But I do shop at a different location and use my perks card. So wrote the letter. Wasn't sure if anyone had luck with this at all? As a friend who is a lawyer suggested this and heard bigger chains like Kohls and Walmart respond positively in most cases. My wife told me to stop shopping there for time being since could be considered trespassing. I am concerned I guess if they say no. Not many options other than this retailer where I live.
  • 05-19-2020, 12:03 PM
    pg1067
    Re: Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    Why folks continue to post about things like this and include the names of the retailers continues to baffle me.


    Quote:

    Quoting Justwondering1234
    View Post
    It was a huge misunderstanding but was never charged due to taking a class. It was in . . . a retailer in PA. I had food and soda under my cart and I thought she had rung these items. She didn't so cops were called. I paid the fines and took the class but said I was banned.

    I don't understand your statement that "It . . . was never charged." If you paid a fine, then you almost certainly were charged with a crime.

    Beyond that, it doesn't appear that you're asking any sort of legal question. Whether or not the retailer allows you to shop at its stores again is entirely up to it and is not a legal issue.

    Quote:

    Quoting Justwondering1234
    View Post
    I was seeking advice.

    The question you asked does not solicit advice. Rather, as best as I could understand it, you were soliciting anecdotal information specific to the retailer you identified. The chances that someone with a similar experience will respond here are virtually nil.
  • 05-19-2020, 01:10 PM
    flyingron
    Re: Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    Quote:

    I don't understand your statement that "It . . . was never charged." If you paid a fine, then you almost certainly were charged with a crime.
    Some people equate the civil demand with a "fine".
  • 05-19-2020, 03:04 PM
    budwad
    Re: Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    Quote:

    Quoting pg1067
    View Post
    I don't understand your statement that "It . . . was never charged." If you paid a fine, then you almost certainly were charged with a crime.

    It could have been a civil liability demand to pay the store. That is not a crime.
  • 05-19-2020, 03:18 PM
    Harold99
    Re: Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    He was not fined at all. He we asked to pay for the items that were in his cart...that the checker neglected to ring up.

    The only crime here would be if the OP admitted that he knew the goods in his cart were not paid for and he was trying to take them anyway.
  • 05-19-2020, 03:28 PM
    budwad
    Re: Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    Not correct.

    Quote:

    § 8308. Damages in actions on retail theft.

    (a) General rule.--In a civil action based on retail theft, as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 3929(a) (relating to retail theft), a court of competent jurisdiction shall utilize the following remedies:

    (1) Order the defendant to restore the merchandise to the plaintiff in its original condition, if possible.

    (2) Award damages as follows:

    (i) If it is not possible to restore the merchandise in its original condition under paragraph (1), award the value of the merchandise as damages.

    (ii) Award actual damages arising from the incident. Damages under this subparagraph do not include the loss of time or wages incurred by the plaintiff in connection with the apprehension and prosecution of the defendant.

    (iii) Award reasonable attorney fees and reasonable court costs.

    (3) Award a civil penalty to the plaintiff in the amount of the value of the merchandise plus $150.

    (b) Minors.--If the defendant is a minor, the act of July 27, 1967 (P.L.186, No.58), entitled "An act imposing liability upon parents for personal injury, or theft, destruction, or loss of property caused by the willful, tortious acts of children under eighteen years of age, setting forth limitations, and providing procedure for recovery," applies.

    (c) Criminal disposition.--Criminal prosecution under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3929 is not a prerequisite to the applicability of this section.

    (d) Limitations.--

    (1) The plaintiff shall send a notice to the defendant's last known address giving the defendant 20 days to respond before a civil action may be commenced.

    (2) No civil action under this section may be maintained if the defendant has paid the plaintiff a penalty equal to the retail value of the merchandise, not to exceed $500, plus the sum of $150.

    (e) Release.--If the person to whom a written demand is made complies with such demand within 20 days after the receipt of the demand, that person shall be given a written release from further civil liability with respect to the specific act of retail theft.



    (Nov. 21, 1990, P.L.563, No.141, eff. 60 days)



    1990 Amendment. Act 141 added section 8308.

    References in Text. The act of July 27, 1967, P.L.186, No.58, referred to in subsec. (b), was repealed by the act of December 19, 1990, P.L.1240, No.206. The subject matter is now contained in Chapter 55 of Title 23 (Domestic Relations).
    https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs...tn=8&subsctn=0
  • 05-19-2020, 04:47 PM
    llworking
    Re: Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    Quote:

    Quoting Harold99
    View Post
    He was not fined at all. He we asked to pay for the items that were in his cart...that the checker neglected to ring up.

    The only crime here would be if the OP admitted that he knew the goods in his cart were not paid for and he was trying to take them anyway.

    Pretty much all states have laws in place allowing for civil demands. Pretty much all retailers make use of those laws and demand that the shoplifter (or accused shoplifter) pay a civil demand. The theory is that the civil demands that are paid help cover or cover the cost of in store LPOs.

    So, yes, the OP might very well have paid a civil demand, which the OP might have viewed as a fine.
  • 05-19-2020, 05:03 PM
    Harold99
    Re: Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    Quote:

    Quoting Justwondering1234
    View Post
    I agree but when I left the store they stated I should have told them there were items under there. The cops were called and tried to explain. However, the area I was in for my job is high crime rate. They dropped charges after I took a 5 hour class on why stealing is wrong. My lawyer told me it would be easier to do this, pay the fine have it expunged which this all happened. Basically my fine was paying the price of the groceries (which I initially did state when all this happened) I walked out and security sensors beeped, I walked in and was like excuse me I think you forgot to ring this up and how much was it. That is when they said had intent to steal. The cops had no choice. So that is the story the short version. It's been 2 1/2 years I was cleaning out our spare bedroom as we have twins on the way and found the paper work and saw I had signed something that day saying can't come back. I didn't remember signing it honestly and put whole incident behind us. But I do shop at a different location and use my perks card. So wrote the letter. Wasn't sure if anyone had luck with this at all? As a friend who is a lawyer suggested this and heard bigger chains like Kohls and Walmart respond positively in most cases. My wife told me to stop shopping there for time being since could be considered trespassing. I am concerned I guess if they say no. Not many options other than this retailer where I live.

    It was not a fine or a civil demand. It was the cost of the groceries that he most likely took home with him that day.

    Also, the store did not "drop charges" unless they arrested him and charged him with shoplifting in the first place. They intimidated him into taking a class so the store security could get some kudos for catching a thief, which they did not.

    This is very simple to figure out. It was in a high crime area where stores get away with treating patrons badly. They thought they had a hot one so the store went outside their rights and accused the OP of shoplifting. If this happened to me I'd be indignant and let them arrest me for shoplifting. What they'd learn is that they'd immediately back down once the cop told them the requirements of shoplifting, which this does not fit. But, the OP appeared scared so the they got emboldened and took advantage of him.

    There are a$$holes around every corner and when you empower them, as the OP did, they will screw you every time. But then maybe we are not getting the whole story. Maybe it was a $300 item that he had hidden inside another item? And he left that part out...but I highly doubt it.
  • 05-20-2020, 05:21 AM
    budwad
    Re: Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    When was the last time that you forgot that you had merchandize under your shopping cart? I bet never. It was a conscious act of shoplifting should OP have left the premises of the store. They cut OP a break and did not charge him/her with shoplifting.

    Quote:

    Quoting Harold99
    View Post
    If this happened to me I'd be indignant and let them arrest me for shoplifting. What they'd learn is that they'd immediately back down once the cop told them the requirements of shoplifting, which this does not fit. But, the OP appeared scared so the they got emboldened and took advantage of him.

    And you would likely have been convicted.
  • 05-20-2020, 07:13 AM
    Harold99
    Re: Got Caught Shoplifting a Few Years Ago and Want Unbanned
    Quote:

    Quoting budwad
    View Post
    When was the last time that you forgot that you had merchandize under your shopping cart? I bet never. It was a conscious act of shoplifting should OP have left the premises of the store. They cut OP a break and did not charge him/her with shoplifting.

    And you would likely have been convicted.

    You guys are so accustomed to telling people that they are hopelessly guilty that it has altered your sense of reason.

    You can't think of a defense that would explain why a customer was not following the checker through their every move? How about "I was texting," or "I was talking to my friend," or "I was thinking about something else," or "it isn't my job to follow the checker's every move," or " I was trying to recall if I forgot something?"

    As a prosecutor, your only argument would be "most people would have noticed those items skipped?" ...And you think that would be a slam dunk conviction?

    My advice: Start seeing through the eyes of a defense attorney, not a wishful prosecutor. But since most here want to see people convicted, the tide here flows in the opposite direction than it should.

    The only way they'd even hope for a conviction is if they found an I-phone stuffed in a box of Cheerios...and not even then unless they had video of him actually doing it.
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:37 AM.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.4
Copyright © 2023 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2004 - 2018 ExpertLaw.com, All Rights Reserved